Menstruation in many societies is discussed in a harsh tone. While many girls choose to drop out of school due to failure to get sanitary pads, reports indicated that 20.8% girls are stigmatized over the cycle. Joan aged 13, in her primary seven at Kisasi Primary School first experienced her periods in 2017 and this is her story. “I was in P.6 third term, I was in the class then the pupils told me you have blood on your uniform.” It is not Joan alone in this dilemma. Daphine has had to skip school on several occasions due to health conditions linked to the menstrual cycle. "I feel abdominal pain and sometimes I cannot feel well with headache, backache…"

Some of the Head Teachers of the Primary Schools we spoke to, said they tried to provide but inadequate funds let them down. “Some parents are not in position to constantly provide for these children and that affects their performance.” Said, Kisakye David – Head Teacher, St. Paul’s Kyebando P/S. In a bid to reduce such cases, Kampala Capital City Authority in partner with Harris International took the liberty to distribute reusable sanitary pads to girls in primary seven in 10 government aided schools in Kawempe Division. “We need to sensitize them in a way that they need to know that by accessing some of these things for instance sanitary towels, they can be able to stay in school and the school will be able to help them become the women that they need to become in future.” Said, Racheal Luwedde – PRO, Harris International.

One of the challenges affecting the girl child during their education was luck of necessary requirements to enable them to stay in school. The donation of reusable sanitary pads came in handy to keep the girl child in school.